The Vampire's Mail Order Bride

“You’re welcome.” He walked toward the house’s interior.

“Stanhill?”

He stopped. “Yes?”

“Tell him I won’t do that again. Please. I promise.”

Stanhill nodded. “I will, but I think he’d like to hear that from your lips himself.”

She sighed and stared at her food. “Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.” Then he left. A moment later, she heard footsteps on the stairs.

First thing in the morning, when they were both up and the sting of the humiliation had worn off, she’d apologize to Hugh. If she didn’t, the tension between them would ruin what promised to be a very fun day at the parade.

After all he’d done for her—letting her stay, protecting her from those men—he deserved a face-to-face apology. She loved him and he loved her. That was enough for now, wasn’t it?

She poked at the pad thai with her chopsticks. Maybe as things progressed, he’d change his mind. How could he not, really? Because their relationship would either lead to them breaking up or deciding to spend the rest of their lives together.

Which for her, would mean making the literally life-changing decision to become a vampire. A little half smile bent her mouth. Delaney James—no, Ellingham—confectioner and vampire. She stuck a shrimp in her mouth and chewed.

What a one-eighty her life had made in these last few days. She got up and went to the fridge to get a bottle of water. What would it be like to be a vampire? Would Alice make her an amulet too? Delaney dreaded the thought of going without sunlight for the rest of her days. Or nights, as the case might be.

No more lazy days off spent by the pool. Or the beach. Or the park. But of course, she’d have Hugh, and his company would help make up for that.

She spun some noodles around her chopsticks and took another bite. Tomorrow, Hugh would have his apology, and she’d let things between them take their natural course.

In her heart, she knew exactly where that natural course was going to lead, so sooner or later, she’d end up becoming a vampire and none of this would matter anyway.

“I know why you refused her,” Stanhill said as Hugh let him in. “But she doesn’t, and so she’s down there feeling like a right idiot and wondering where she went wrong. You’d be lucky if she stays after all this.”

“Maybe it would be better if she didn’t stay. If that was her decision.” Hugh’s heart was heavy, saddened by the inevitable split that would be required to keep Delaney safe.

Stanhill held out the bagged goods. “What the bloody hell are you talking about?”

Hugh took the bag and shook his head. “I will not turn her and risk her life.”

“But you love her.”

“Which is exactly why I won’t turn her.”

“Maybe you’re the right idiot.” Stanhill scowled. “She could come through the turning right as rain.”

Hugh scowled right back. “And it could kill her. Would you take that chance with Corette’s life?”

Stanhill’s expression softened. “I…I don’t know.”

“Exactly.”

Stanhill sighed. “But you love her. Don’t you want to spend the rest of your life with her?”

“I do. But I will not have her death on my hands.”

“So you’re going to break both your hearts on the chance that something might go wrong. Trade an eternity of happiness for an eternity of sorrow. Over a chance.”

“She’ll get over me.”

“Will she? Or will she go to her grave wondering what might have happened?”

“Enough, Stanhill.”

He snorted softly. “And you. You’ll have centuries to think about her. At least her suffering will end with her death. You don’t have that option. Unless you slip out of that amulet and into the sunshine.”

Hugh punched him.

Stanhill staggered back, arms out to keep his balance. “Bloody hell, what was that for?”

“For not shutting the hell up when I said enough. I know what I’m doing.”

Stanhill rubbed his jaw, eyes blazing with indignation. “No, you don’t. Or you wouldn’t be doing it.”

“You’d have me do what then? Marry her? Turn her? What if she dies? What then?”

“It might not happen that way.”

“But if it does?” Hugh stared at him, feeling the pain of that possibility like a dagger to the heart. “Do you know what losing her that way would do to me? I can’t be responsible for that. It would…it will kill me.”

Stanhill’s stern expression remained. “Either way, you lose her. And either way, you’re responsible. Is this the end of you then? Will you wait until she’s gone before you meet the dawn, or do you plan to head out tomorrow at sunrise and get it over with?”

Hugh went very still. He hadn’t thought about it in those terms. He sank into a nearby chair. “I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t.”

“It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all is a cliché for a reason. It’s true. You’re a bleedin’ vampire. Top of the food chain. And yet you’re ruled by fear.”

Hugh knew he was right. He said nothing.

Stanhill worked his jaw back and forth. “Think long and hard before you make a decision you will regret for the rest of your very long life.”

“All I can do is think.”